Can i re-use old cocofiber?

[ResuemJuli]

I had a T.Albopilosum, that died unfortunately last year and i am getting a new T now.
I want to use the same Terrarium.
Do i have to change out the old Cocofiber because of her hairs or something.
Will it affect my new Tarantula in any way?

 

[moricollins]

I would change out the old substrate, better safe than sorry

 

[Arthroverts]

Gonna say I have to agree with @moricollins. In theory I guess you could take the upper layer of the substrate away (assuming the aforementioned tarantula didn't burrow) and just use the relatively clean bottom layer if you had to, but if you have extra coco fiber I would just change it out and add the new stuff.

That said, I have reused coco fiber for other creatures such as roaches and isopods, though they don't have any webbing or defensive urticating bristles that might pose a problem.

Thanks,

Arthroverts

 

[nicodimus22]

When cleaning out an old enclosure for a new T, I pull out any old sheet webbing, and spot-clean poop and boluses, but I don't change the coco fiber. There would have to be a big problem for me to do so (widespread mold, heavy infestation of something, etc.)

 

[Vanisher]

I had a T.Albopilosum, that died unfortunately last year and i am getting a new T now.
I want to use the same Terrarium.
Do i have to change out the old Cocofiber because of her hairs or something.
Will it affect my new Tarantula in any way?

You can re-use it without any problems. There are no cons with re-use substrate. It is cheaper than to buy new substrate too

 

[quirinus]

in case it was a sudden and unexplainable death of the albo, i wouldn't reuse the substrate and i'd shower the enclosure with warm water. as said by @moricollins, better safe than sorry..

 

[Liquifin]

Substrate is reusable under certain conditions, which I reuse substrate sometimes and all my T.'s on reused substrate does very well with it. But if something had died unexpectedly then it's a much better and safer call to get a new batch of substrate.

 

[Tarantula Space]

Actually reusing it is no problem at all, just remember to pour boiling water on it and let the water evaporate before using it again. That way you can kill any molds/things that may be bad for your pets.

Happy keeping!

 

[moricollins]

Given that none of us (myself included) know WHY the previous tarantula died, I find it funny (not haha funny) that people are still recommending that the op reuse the substrate.

For all any of us know there was a chemical spill in the substrate that caused the previous death...

 

[viper69]

I usually change it, but a few times when the store was out, I had to reuse for a bit. No issues IME

Given that none of us (myself included) know WHY the previous tarantula died, I find it funny (not haha funny) that people are still recommending that the op reuse the substrate.

For all any of us know there was a chemical spill in the substrate that caused the previous death...

Throw caution to the wind !

 

[Tarantula Space]

Given that none of us (myself included) know WHY the previous tarantula died, I find it funny (not haha funny) that people are still recommending that the op reuse the substrate.

For all any of us know there was a chemical spill in the substrate that caused the previous death...

Thats why I recommend pouring boiling waterand letting it evaporate under the sun before reusing

 

[Vanisher]

Thats why I recommend pouring boiling waterand letting it evaporate under the sun before reusing

There is no need of putting boiling water on it. Just re-use it as it is.

 

[GreenTip]

Actually reusing it is no problem at all, just remember to pour boiling water on it and let the water evaporate before using it again. That way you can kill any molds/things that may be bad for your pets.

Happy keeping!

Why not cover it with food film and microwave it for a bit? No waiting for it to dry!

 

[StampFan]

I'm going to throw out this: In my opinion, it is possible to re-use substrate *if* it has mostly been kept dry and has no noticeable smell or mold, and you're using it for another spider (i.e. not a reptile or something else that would be affected by the urticating hair).

Substrate that has been moist for long periods of time likely has had anaerobic bacteria floating around in it, and its likely better to toss that stuff.

 

[Tarantula Space]

Why not cover it with food film and microwave it for a bit? No waiting for it to dry!

Actually in our country it's quite hot so waiting for it to dry won't be a problem, it will only take a couple of days, maybe 3 not much longer.

 

[Tarantula Space]

There is no need of putting boiling water on it. Just re-use it as it is.

I pour in boiling water just to be sure there's nothing that can harm your pets, because maybe it already has mites due to your pets dying.

 

[Vanisher]

Most substrate contains mites of some form. Most of them is harmless. The mites that in 99% of the case popping up in terrarium are harmless mites

 

[Ian14]

It's such a cheap substrate, why risk reusing it. Unless you know 100% why your T died, and that reason has nothing to do with the substrate, just bin it or use in a flower bed, and get new fresh substrate.